Whats the law regarding life and death emergencies?

Question

Is it true its legal to break into a house if you are in danger of dying in a blizzard? Is it legal to steal a car if you have to escape a forest fire? Can you steal food from a store in order to survive a flood? Whats the general law on your rights during a life and death emergency?

It appears from the first two answers that the only legal thing to do in an emergency is to freeze to death in the blizzard or starve to death in the flood. Can this really be true? Is the law really this harsh?

Answer 1

It is not legal to do any of those things. However is you can show a court that you would not have performed that act if not for the potential dire circumstances and that no legal alternative was available the court (or DA) could dismiss the charges.

However, it is unlikely that would protect you from civil liability if your actions cause a loss to another.

Yes, the law is that harsh, however courts and juries are not. When writing a law, it would be impossible to enumerate every situation when the law won't be enforced.

Additionally, breaking the law may cause another the be in danger or die because you stole their car. You steal the car to escape the forest fire and the owner dies because you stole his car. How is that fair?

Answer 2

My father told me that he would never steal anything, unless his girls were hungry and he had to get food. Usually, there are agencies to help in such situations. In an rush life and death emergency, I think most store owners would spot you a loaf of bread. But I'd hold up on the property damage, because the cops and the courts obviously don't care if we live or die.

Answer 3

Any worker who violates the guidelines of alternative worldwide places ought to be waiting to stand penitentiary time or excellent based the gravity of the offenses. in the comparable way, any foreigner who violate Phil. rules may be project to our judicial device besides the reality that there may be exceptions. perhaps the Phil. government can strengthen predeparture courses to address cultural sensibilities, practices and taboos no longer basically on the host worldwide places yet in addition with different distant places workers. Filipinos shouldn't assume the government to ask for govt or royal pardon each and every time there are crimes dedicated by Filipinos distant places. it is absurd. it is intense time that th e culprits be keen to pay the fee. OWWA ought to have hoarded a great style of money from our workers yet they can't instruct the individuals the place those funds are actually. Are they invested in artwork, blue chip shares and so on? The taxpayers ought to understand. Mein lieber, wir lassen diese überseeischen Arbeitnehmer Mellow mit Deutsch Lagerbier zu lockern sie ein bißchen, so dass sie sich nicht in Schwierigkeiten mit dem Gesetz. Ja, Sie sind ja schön.

Answer 4

If you are in a life and death emergency, first thing to do is to save your own life and not to hurt others. If you are died, no matter how those laws says, you are died.

Answer 5

You might beat the rap, but you're gonna take the ride.

Those excuses might be a defense to prosecution, in most states. It won't keep you from being arrested, however, when and if you get caught.

You have no special 'rights' in a life or death situation.

Answer 6

Yes, you can do all of these things. You will be tried by a jury. If they think you were justified, they will let you go. In all likelihood the matter will never come to trial.

Answer 7

if i were in those situations legal or not i would do anyone of those things~! great question!